My other You Tube Channel, dweems41, will showcase performances of my own children, The Elliott Family String Quartet, and some of my students; however, this channel will focus on the actual teaching process. Particularly with a focus on teaching beginner students. Teaching from "the ground up" takes a lot of patience and skill. I hope to share some secrets I have learned over the past 15 years of teaching the violin.

Although there is generally one accepted way to actually PLAY the violin, there is no one-way to TEACH the violin. There are many successful methods to actually teach students to play. To that end, I am sharing my own teaching ideas and I don't claim that my style is the BEST and ONLY way it should be done.

I hope this channel will serve as a forum for teachers and parents, so that we may share our ideas and secrets on how to teach the violin. Please subscribe, friend request, and share your successes by commenting in the comment box or by video response.

I am so excited to share my ideas and also to hear about the successes of others!

Happy Teaching/Learning

Dannielle

WHY DID I CREATE THIS CHANNEL?

I am a mother, teacher, and musician. I taught my own children violin up to Suzuki Book 8. However, I am most fascinated with how very young children learn to play the violin. I find it amazing how students learn basic Twinkle Rhythms and later play some of the greatest violin concertos.

In the summer of 2011, I was blessed to have my niece (Catera, age 8), come to live with me for 2 months. My goal was to teach her violin during her stay so that she may go home and continue learning and playing. On our first day of lessons, while still in my pajamas, I had a brilliant idea that I should keep a video diary of her progress to share on You Tube. During our very first lesson, I got out my camcorder and started recording.... while still in PJs!

The thought was to share the videos with others who want to learn or correct bad habits that were learned in the beginning stages, especially families without a musical background. I immediately began searching for similar videos already on You Tube. I noticed that some You Tube channels and websites use teaser "how to" videos to entice viewers into purchasing some type of learning system online. But why not share the secrets for FREE?

My experience has shown me that too many students learn bad habits from the beginning, which results in a "Terminal Point" where the student can no longer progress. Therefore I believe this beginning stage is most important.

The problem is that too many parents/students are so anxious to learn a new piece that they neglect to pay attention to the actual technique. I have a saying that I tell all students; "It is not WHAT you play, but HOW you play it!" Who cares what piece you play if you play it poorly with bad technique? I hope to inspire students to pay attention to those small details so that they will later be able to play great virtuoso pieces.

Lastly, Catera, my niece featured in most of these videos, comes from a non-musical family. She did not come from an environment where she was immersed with classical music. But her progress has amazed me. I truly believe that all children can learn properly if given the correct instruction and if they practice with supervision slowly and carefully!

Please share your successes with me on this channel in the comment box or by video response.